best security ideas for ebike

[Chazmo]

Hi gang,

We are having an interesting discussion about some stuff Urtopia has done to a recent ebike for security and I thought this discussion of ebike security/theft protection/recovery mechanisms was worth its own subject.

Started here:

Can't Get My New Urtopia Bike to Work

I got this new Urtopia electric bike and, despite following the instructions, can't get the motor to start. The voice commands don't work; the finger touches on the screen do not work. What do you suggest I do? I live in Burbank. Anyone else live in Burbank?

forums.electricbikereview.com

Perhaps we can influence and/or vet some ideas that these manufacturers are pursuing for future ebikes...

For me, I have a few ideas and suggestions.

1. A hidden pocket somewhere for an Apple AirTag is a great idea. Juiced did this on it's (removable) battery, which I think is ideal. There should also be a place somewhere on the frame for a tag as well. This doesn’t help with theft prevention since it’s stealthy. But, for me, I don’t need more. This helps with detection of theft and also recovery.

2. I think a mechanical lockout is a safety issue waiting to happen. I can’t imagine anyone implementing a device (like a fuel cutoff in cars) that would disable the bike. What I can imagine is the lockout engaging at the wrong time and causing the rider to end up in a ditch.

3. I think requiring a phone app to unlock the bike is a mixed idea. I don’t like the idea that I’m required to have my phone with me to ride my bike, but the reality is that I always do. But, what if your phone breaks? If they implement stuff like this (like they seem to do on the Urtopia bike), I hope they implement an override so you can turn it off.

4. I think a keypad (for a combination) or some type of electronic key (like cars) to turn the bike on is the real way to go. My display just requires you to find the on/off button and press it for about 5 seconds. Not really good enough, and it’s always proprietary. But, adding some kind of security pad/screen probably an additional expense for the manufacturer.

5. I think an easily detachable battery is a significant deterrent. I realize it compromises, to some degree, the sealed nature and protection of the battery itself, but I think it’s the way to go.

Other ideas???

 

[stompandgo]

A number of companies make an AirTag holder that fits under a standard water bottle cage. However, don't these only work for Apple devices? There are Android/web trackers available, I'm aware of that as well.

I still think that even though any physical lock can be defeated, it's the best security when you cannot watch your bike at all times. I just built a Cannondale cargo bike that comes with a fork mounted Abus lock, keyed alike with the battery locks (dual battery). The shackle goes through the front wheel. It's only a deterrent, but the bike is a beast. It would slow a thief down, and it's convenient enough to be used regularly.

 

[mschwett]

not sure why a mechanical lockout - properly engineered - is dangerous.

i've hidden airtags inside the frame of all my bikes, and my road bike power meter cranks have find my integrated into them. i use a good u-lock when locking in public (not one of the new gigantic grinder proof ones...) and my commuter has an electronic hub lock that's locked manually (you have to line up the hub and press the stud in) and unlocked via phone app. thousands of locks and unlocks and it's just fine.

the very loud audible warning when the bike is jostled is a good deterrent if you're parking in a public place. i also have one u-lock which emits a shrieking sound when jostled, which is almost too much since sometimes people innocently bump into bikes!

i don't like removable batteries, ones fully inside the frame a) are basically impossible to steal by themselves and b) look about a million times better/sleeker.

so, in summary, for me, good lock that makes a loud noise or a bike that makes a loud noise on it's own, battery inside the bike where it belongs, and find-my. that plus insurance and i really don't worry about it.

 

[Nvreloader]

The old time Honda type of handlebar lock, turn 90* and lock with a key, and with disc brake locks front and back, a standard paddle lock locked around the top/bottom chain behind the crank and before the derailleur, kill switch for the battery.
Just used for temporary quick stops/grab a quick bite to eat while watching the ride, or for something to drink etc.
ymmv

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Problem with locking and unlocking with a phone is that the bike will always be on to accept transmission for the phone. That will drain the battery, slowly, but you may find yourself with a dead battery if the bike is left alone for a couple of weeks.

I know about the drain because I installed an alarm on my bike. Much like a car alarm, I had a fob to activate it. The alarm would sound when motion was detected. This was nice, but the battery drain wasn’t. I know that different loads will use different currents, regardless, the battery will drain.

I like to have a physical key to connect/disconnect power to the bike. I wired one in and the key needs to be turned so the bike can come on.

On my Xaiomi clone scooter, I installed a static kill switch. I hide the switch on the side, under the deck. Know one will know to look there and when I press it, you can not power up the display. I also lock the scooter.

 

[Base]

Abus Alarmbox 2.0 with chain lockt to lock your bike the a pole, fence, tree or other street furniture.

besides that we have a tracker service in the Benelux who will get trace your bike back when it is stolen, and indeed we all use "cafe-locks" on our bikes. And besides those, a big lock to lock the bike to a hard point if the bike is there for a longer period. And park your bike between other bikes with a poorer lock than the one on your bike (thieves will brake any lock, but choose a lighter one if it is there).

Alarm and tracker are for most insurances mandatory these days for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.

 

[Chazmo]

Alarm and tracker are for most insurances mandatory these days for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.

Base, I hadn’t even considered insurance as a motivator for any of this… Is bike insurance a common thing in Europe?

 

[Gionnirocket]

Problem with locking and unlocking with a phone is that the bike will always be on to accept transmission for the phone. That will drain the battery, slowly, but you may find yourself with a dead battery if the bike is left alone for a couple of weeks.

I know about the drain because I installed an alarm on my bike. Much like a car alarm, I had a fob to activate it. The alarm would sound when motion was detected. This was nice, but the battery drain wasn’t. I know that different loads will use different currents, regardless, the battery will drain.

I like to have a physical key to connect/disconnect power to the bike. I wired one in and the key needs to be turned so the bike can come on.

On my Xaiomi clone scooter, I installed a static kill switch. I hide the switch on the side, under the deck. Know one will know to look there and when I press it, you can not power up the display. I also lock the scooter.

I concur... A hidden kill switch would be nice. My Zen battery has two prewired terminals to add such a switch whether it be a key or whatever.
That said... I'm too lazy to bother
That, that said... I rarely leave my bike unattended. I take it inside the local supermarket, pharmacy, home depot, etc... without issue.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Just under the footpad and to the right of the reflective strip. Thats where my secret is. Haha.

 

[stompandgo]

Is that one of those 40mph scooters?

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Is that one of those 40mph scooters?

lol. No. This one can’t go more that 18mph. With semi-solid tires and no suspension, I wouldn’t go faster.

I’d upload a picture of my 40mph scooter, but don’t want to go through the hassle of resizing the photo.

 

[Gionnirocket]

lol. No. This one can’t go more that 18mph. With semi-solid tires and no suspension, I wouldn’t go faster.

I’d upload a picture of my 40mph scooter, but don’t want to go through the hassle of resizing the photo.

Just take a screenshot

 

[Slaphappygamer]

Just take a screenshot

I’m getting pretty tired of that.

One of these days, I’ll have to delete all my duplicates.

Fun fact: the headlight is the original from my ebike.

 

[sc00ter]

I’m getting pretty tired of that.

View attachment 195465

One of these days, I’ll have to delete all my duplicates.

Fun fact: the headlight is the original from my ebike.

The guy I gave my dual motor Apollo Ghost to did the Ludo mod to it. Faster and scarier! Is that a early Apollo? Never seen blue before.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I’m getting pretty tired of that.

View attachment 195465

One of these days, I’ll have to delete all my duplicates.

Fun fact: the headlight is the original from my ebike.

I delete screenshots right after I use them... if I'm not laminated that is.

 

[indianajo]

I've shopped, eaten out, gone to concerts, worked a volunteer job downtown, on my bike over 7 years. I did not operate a motor vehicle. Bike & motor cost me $2800 in 2018. I've lost one toolbox (~$60) one taillight ($13) one headlight ($60) and had two tires stabbed. Frame is locked to lightpoles or gas meters with 1/2" dia SS sling and Abus 92/80 lock. Nobody has ever attempted either. Battery is bolted on in custom aluminum frame, takes 30 minutes with 2 wrenches and a nail puller to get it off. Some battery nuts have been partially backed off at groceries, never the right ones. No display, they fail in the rain. No cell phone, they fail in the rain. Controller enable switch is in a pillbottle located under the seat. Nobody has flipped that to burn the rubber off the tire, either. In high theft areas as Greyhound bus station or across from county jail I have used a 36" master cable lock (yes, they are trash) to also lock the power wheel to the power pole or gas meter. I never use those cheapo bike stand toys the landlords and city install to fake out bike owners. Headlight now rides in a peanut butter jar in pannier to avoid shorts from rain. Taillight is now bolted on to aluminum rear rack, takes 25 turns of two elastic stop nuts to release it. I don't buy taillights that strap to the seat column, too easy to steal. Brightz taillights, pink or red. No seat posts or axles are QR, I removed those the week I received the bike.

 

[mschwett]

Problem with locking and unlocking with a phone is that the bike will always be on to accept transmission for the phone. That will drain the battery, slowly, but you may find yourself with a dead battery if the bike is left alone for a couple of weeks.
...

that would be a really dumb design to draw a lot of power just waiting for a connection. i have never had this problem with my bike that unlocks via phone. i don't lock it all the time, obviously, but i always have my phone on me and have never returned after a few weeks to find the battery mysteriously drained. there's also the fact that a bike battery is ginormous compared to other devices that sit around listening for connections....

 

[Base]

Base, I hadn’t even considered insurance as a motivator for any of this… Is bike insurance a common thing in Europe?

For the Benelux, we see that bikes over 2500 euro are for 85% are on an insurance plan. Most E-bikes above the 3000 euro need to be equipted with a gps-tracker (not airtag like thingies, don't work) and at least have 2 locks on them, one cafe-lock/ringlock and a seperate chain or folding lock to lock the bike to street furniture/hard point. Most bikes are insured for 2 or 5 years. In the DACH region the insurance % is a bit lower, and is mostly in the big cities. On everage the dutchies own 2.3 bikes per person and in the cities like Utrecht, Amsterdam or Rotterdam every 1 in 150 has their bike stolen once in 5 years.

A few days back there was a news report of a BBC reporter who had her Cargobike stolen in Amsterdam.

We have a service here via for example Tracefy where private detectives get your bike back when it is stolen based on the a few different tracker service in these bikes. They traceback the bikes and get the cops to these locations so that the bikes can be returned to the owner. Succes rates are not clear and somethimes these stolen bikes end up in a container rather fast and go dark and when they are back online they are in Poland (in most cases) and we have seen a few get back online in south Italy (in 3 days).

Most calls to the insurance companies are however just plain old damage related

 

[stompandgo]

The Urtopia has a fingerprint sensor on the head unit for unlocking. When that doesn't work, you must have the paired phone with you in order to override the sensor with the app.

 

[sc00ter]

I use a Litelok X1 for my Honda PCX and I have a X3 for whatever ebike I take out. As far as accessories I'm a avid Hexlox fan. My front wheel and seat are safe. Shame we have to use so many steps to secure what we have but I try my best to stay one step ahead. I don't really trust modern electronics for theft prevention. Those Flipper devices that send out codes can override car security, so I know they'll unlock ebike level security. Try to unlock my X1 with a Flipper device!